Members of the Staffordshire Figure Association are counting the days to this year's conference in Dallas, Texas, this week. Dallas is an epicenter for antique Staffordshire pottery. It is home to more early figures than any other spot on earth, and, to top it all, the collections are located within a ten minute radius of each other. Dallas boasts 13 menageries, more than can be found in the rest of America or all England, so members are in for a real treat. Among the many other rarities will be four Red Barns standing together on one shelf, and as I have their pictures in my archive, I thought we should sneak a peep.
The Red Barn murder--so called because the victim was buried beneath the floor of the Red Barn-- is an eternally perplexing "who dunnit." In 1828, William Corder was tried and hanged for murdering Maria Marten, but fascination with his crime did not die on the gallows with him. The murder, replete with unanswered questions and salacious details, was very much in the news in its day, and Staffordshire models of the Red Barn were potted as chilling souvenirs of Corder's deed. Examples are uncommon, supporting my belief that most early nineteenth century figures were made for respectable middle-class households in which the Red Barn murder was a distasteful subject.
Interest in the Red Barn murder persists to this day, and Staffordshire Red Barns are among the most desirable of early pottery figures. All were made around 1828. The most well-known model was made by the "Sherratt" pot bank, and one is below.
The Red Barn murder--so called because the victim was buried beneath the floor of the Red Barn-- is an eternally perplexing "who dunnit." In 1828, William Corder was tried and hanged for murdering Maria Marten, but fascination with his crime did not die on the gallows with him. The murder, replete with unanswered questions and salacious details, was very much in the news in its day, and Staffordshire models of the Red Barn were potted as chilling souvenirs of Corder's deed. Examples are uncommon, supporting my belief that most early nineteenth century figures were made for respectable middle-class households in which the Red Barn murder was a distasteful subject.
Interest in the Red Barn murder persists to this day, and Staffordshire Red Barns are among the most desirable of early pottery figures. All were made around 1828. The most well-known model was made by the "Sherratt" pot bank, and one is below.
Although a number of "Sherratt" Red Barns are recorded, finding one in pleasing condition is challenging. All too often the bocage has been lost, or, worse yet, poorly restored. Add to that, the small figures frequently have been knocked off the base and replaced. The example you see above, housed in Dallas, is original, but for a restoration to Corder's hands--yes, the very hands said to have committed the dastardly deed. It is quite lovely, and I hope no future owner is ever tempted to restore the little bit of missing bocage.
The Red Barn below seems to have come from the very same molds, yet it was made by a quite different pot bank. This model can be attributed to the "Patriotic Group" pot bank, and, unlike the "Sherratt" barn, it was made without figures of Corder and Marten.
The Red Barn below seems to have come from the very same molds, yet it was made by a quite different pot bank. This model can be attributed to the "Patriotic Group" pot bank, and, unlike the "Sherratt" barn, it was made without figures of Corder and Marten.
I have recorded four examples of this Red Barn. Notice that this one is actually titled THE RAD BARN. The other three Patriotic Group barns read RED BARN. On one, the "E" looks halfway between an "A" and an "E," as if the potter couldn't quite decide and wanted to hedge his bets.
The third Red Barn is made from different molds than were used for the previous two Red Barn models. It is known from only three examples. Two of these are in Dallas collections that the Staffordshire Figure Association will visit.
The third Red Barn is made from different molds than were used for the previous two Red Barn models. It is known from only three examples. Two of these are in Dallas collections that the Staffordshire Figure Association will visit.
Notice that the name of the site of the terrible crime, the hamlet of Polstead, is here spelled POULSTO (presumably intended to be "Poulston.") On the other examples from this pot bank it is either "Polstead" or "Polestead." This reminds us that in those times literacy rates were low, and, as the dictionary had not yet been created, spellings generally were rather ill defined!
And last but certainly not least is the tiniest of Red Barns, known from only this example. This little gem was made by the "Sherratt" pot bank. It really is small, with a foot print around the size of a small iPhone. Small does not mean inexpensive when it comes to rarities, and I tease the owner that on a square foot basis this is the most expensive piece of English property ever.
And last but certainly not least is the tiniest of Red Barns, known from only this example. This little gem was made by the "Sherratt" pot bank. It really is small, with a foot print around the size of a small iPhone. Small does not mean inexpensive when it comes to rarities, and I tease the owner that on a square foot basis this is the most expensive piece of English property ever.
I have been to Polstead, and Maria Marten's home still stands, as does the home of William Corder. But as for the Red Barn itself, it was carried off piecemeal within a short time of the murder by souvenir seekers wanting a little piece of the action. The curious came from as far afield as France to claim a chunk of timber. Fortunately, crude engravings show us what the barn looked like in its last days, and, as you see, Staffordshire models resemble it closely.
I doubt the Staffordshire Figure Association can ever again visit as many rare figures in one location, but each conference presents new opportunities to feast the eyes, feed the mind, and make new friends. If you are interested in joining, visit the SFA site at staffordshirefigureassociation.com.
